Thousands of farmers in Masaka City, Uganda, are counting heavy losses after nearly four months of prolonged sunshine and drought severely affected coffee, matooke and other food crops, according to The Scribe. The dry spell has raised concerns about food security and household incomes in an area where many families depend on agriculture. During a visit to Kanabukulilo Village in Kimanya-Kabonera Division on Saturday, State Minister for Local Government Justine Nameere Nsubuga expressed concern over the drought's impact on farmers and their livelihoods.

Recent figures from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) indicate that Uganda's agriculture sector is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by a surge in coffee exports, which have reached record levels and generated billions of dollars. This trend highlights the importance of coffee in the country's export performance, suggesting a reliance on this single crop for agricultural success.

More than three million improved coffee seedlings have been distributed in Kilimanjaro Region to address the decline in coffee production and enhance farmers' incomes. Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde informed the National Assembly that annual coffee production in the region has decreased from 25,000 tonnes to approximately 4,000 tonnes of clean coffee.

Coffee farmers in Tooro, Uganda, have established the Tooro Coffee Cooperative Union to enhance their bargaining power, improve market access, and increase their incomes from coffee farming. This decision was made during a meeting at Kalya Courts Hotel in Fort Portal City, which included various coffee farmers.

President William Ruto has announced a government initiative to increase coffee farmers' earnings from Sh158 per kilogramme to between Sh250 and Sh300 in the coming years. This plan is part of a broader strategy to revitalize Kenya's coffee sector. During the launch of a coffee revival program in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County, Ruto noted that while progress has been made in improving farmers' returns, additional measures are necessary to ensure profitability in coffee farming.

In February, Uganda's coffee export volumes increased significantly, with the country exporting 651,933 60-kilogram bags valued at $181 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. This represents a 15 percent year-on-year increase in volumes and a 5.8 percent rise in earnings, despite a decline in global prices, which fell to an average of $4.63 per kilogram from $4.71 in January.